The life and times of a pituitary Cushing's survivor (1987) AND a kidney cancer (Renal Cell Carcinoma) survivor (2006). I must be a Super-Woman...NOT!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Today in Health History

Master Of The Endocrines

The pituitary, which is located at the base of the brain, is considered the master gland because it controls the other endocrine glands and produces a number of hormones that stimulate growth, metabolic or sexual functions. Much is now known about this tiny organ, but three doctors at Yale University School of Medicine broke new ground more than 60 years ago by being the first to isolate a pituitary hormone in pure form.

On this date in 1937, Drs. Abraham White, Hubert Catchpole and Cyril Long announced their findings in the journal Science. Researchers have since isolated nine hormones in three sections of the pituitary.

About Me

I am a Cushing's patient who has dealt with Cushing's symptoms since 1983 (or earlier) and the aftereffects of pituitary surgery since 1987.

Because I had very little support for my symptoms, diagnosis and surgery, I decided to try to make things a little better for other patients and started a support site called Cushing's Help and Support in 2000. The site has grown to astronomical numbers. This disease isn't as rare as doctors have told us!

In 2006, I was also diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). My left kidney and adrenal gland were removed. Having an adrenal gland removed complicates my post-Cushing's symptoms.